God's Ways, Not Mine!

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the hose Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" (Matthew 10:24-25)

Both of these passages were a blessing to me today. I am coming out of an extremely sick period... With an illness full of ups and downs, I have been at this point countless times before. It happens to be the point when I can be the most discouraged, because I am well enough to "feel" like "me", but not well enough to actually function like "me". When I am extremely ill, I am too sick to think about anything, so it doesn't matter. When I have been better for longer, the weight of everything is not so heavy because I have had a bit of time to work at catching up on some things. This is the hardest period of time for me, emotionally.

The first passage obviously reminded me that whatever I may plan, God is still in control. My desire is to be well, but it is okay that God has other plans. (I will trust Him with this, as I continue to pray to get well!)

The second passage speaks specifically to people putting Jesus down, putting "our" side into perspective, but I think it can easily here, to how sick I have been. Jesus did not live an "easy" life on this earth, and I can not demand that either! There are a LOT of other factors to consider along with this (like trusting as Jesus trusted!), but it is extremely encouraging to think that my Savior's life was what the Father put before him, and why should I expect more? (or better!)

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:21-24)

Again, I can see in my great Example (Jesus Christ) how I should respond to suffereing! I should "commit myself to God"!

Can you see how encouraging this is?

At the same time, I am going to keep praying for God to heal me. That is also pleasing to Him, because He asks His people to come to Him with their petitions. (over and over again!)

Lord, I have asked to be able to "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life," (Psalm 27:4) and I can barely stand church.

I do not understand why You continue to let me be afflicted by this. Show me Your way, teach me Your path. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Lord, I love You, better than life. (So of course I love You through sickness!) I trust You with my life, even my day-to-day life and this difficult illness. I do not "need" my way, but rather I desire Your way.

And I keep asking. Please, Lord, make me better!

Show me what to do, if I am to do anything.

Keep me faithful to You to the end.

It is YOU I love. (Not this life.)

Be glorified in me.

Amen.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaish 55:8-9)

I hope that all of these words from scripture have been encouraging to you too, in whatever trials you are going through. We can trust Him!